Help me narrow my list!

[singingpixie]

Alright guys, here's the deal:
We are Meg (me, 22), Steve (DBF, 23), Ben (late 20s) and Kim (late 20s). We're going in January (not totally set on specific dates yet). Steve and I went last January, and I'd gone once as a child before and a daytrip a couple years ago. Ben's been as a child, and Kim is a newbie. I'm a veggie, and the others are omnivores but Ben and Kim don't eat a ton of red meat. We'll be staying at Pop Century for 7 nights on the dining plan- that means 7 days of dining credits, and my list is like 3 times that, so I need help narrowing. If you were me and considering these places, what would you do?
Le Cellier (loved it last time)
Teppanyaki (loved it last time)
Rose and Crown (new, interested in illuminations view)
Marrakesh (liked it ok last time- kinda bland for middle eastern food that we're used to- but Ben mentioned it sounded interesting and we wouldn't mind trying it again)
Le Chefs de France (liked it ok last time, don't really need to repeat)
Coral Reef (ambiance looks great, good deal on the DDP and they all like seafood)
Cinderella's Royal Table (We hated it last time and it was only 1 credit, but Kim is really excited about the castle)
Crystal Palace (heard its good food, don't know if anyone's into pooh or not)
Liberty Tree Tavern (sounds like fun, if we decide to do a character meal)
50s Prime Time Cafe (fun atmosphere since we're hams, supposedly decent food)
Sci-Fi Dine-in (I think the guys would really like the atmosphere, but the reviews of the food scare me off)
Raglan Road (food and atmosphere look good)
Wolfgang puck (menu looks good)
Cali Grill (menu, food, and view! but 2TS)
Jiko (food looks amazing but 2TS)
Artist Point (same thing)
Whispering Canyon (looks like fun for the group of us hams, but is the food ok?)
'Ohana (atmosphere looks good but I'm nervous about less meaty options)
Kona (food looks good, atmosphere isn't really there)
Chef Mickeys (Wondering if even though we're adults meeting the "big cheese" would be fun)

This list is huge, can anyone help me whittle it down? Thanks so much! -Meg

 

[disney queen]

we love jiko and artist point! i would consider one or both since they are very different and very good! plus it is a great way to see either resort. we are actually dining at both in december. we prefer kona for breakfast over dinner. ohana was not our most favorite dining experience. it was okay; the view of the castle is great though. whispering canyon cafe serves a great breakfast! we were not real "taken" w/dinner there. love lecellier and teppanyaki. marrashek is good,but it sounds as if you can find better at home. LTT is great for lunch and there are no characters. so, maybe some you are considering for dinner move to breakfast,that way you could get all or most in. enjoy!

 

[Ella's Mom]

I'd skip CRT. If you are going to use 2 TS credits, go to one of the other restaurants for dinner. I love the atmosphere at 50's Prime Time and the food is good. I'd do either Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace. Pick the menu or characters you like the best. I'd probably skip LTT just because you have so many other choices and you are all adults. I'd choose Kona or Ohana just so you can go to Poly one night. I'm not sure but Rose and Crown for Illuminations might be kind of cold in January. Coral Reef would be nice since they all eat seafood.
If you didn't love it last time, skip it and try something else.

 

[honeybee30]

Here is the way that I chose restaurants for our next trip: I chose a couple that we really enjoyed on past visits (for us that includes Boma, Chefs de France, Brown Derby) & a few new ones that we've always wanted to try (like Jiko or Flying Fish). We are wannabe "foodies" (believe me, we'd be full fledge food snobs if we had the $$$), so we don't mind spending the 2 table service credits on really good meals. I also like to get away from the food court scene in the evenings and relax with a glass of wine, so that makes the more "adult" places to eat appealing to me.

That said, I'd skip the places that you found to be only so-so (Marrakesh, Chefs, CRT), include the ones that you loved in the past (Le Cellier, Teppanyaki) and pick a few that really interest you or seem fun for your group. Personally, I'd limit the character meals unless you're into that. The pub atmosphere at Raglan Road or Rose & Crown seems better for 20-somethings sans children.

 

[TinksWings]

Ohana's is not a favorite of ours though most people love it. Only one person in our extended family of 14 enjoyes this meal and its a teenaged boy.

Liberty Tree Tavern dinner is okay but nothing exciting in the world of food. It seems to be Thanksgiving fare which is not even that exciting on the holiday.

California Grill is one of those to-die-for places that surprised me. Every item we had on the menu was unique and tasty. We don't miss this place on our visits.

You may also be interested in Concourse Steakhouse if you are concerned that Chef Mickey's is cheezy. Its a grown-up steakhouse and oft overlooked gem.

Good luck.

 

[bookgirl2632]

Okay, since I just went through this, I'll try and help out.

First of all, we decided to pick only one Signature Dining, you know, those that take up two TS credits. So I'd decide amongst those, which one you really want to go to.

Second, I'd skip CRT, unless your friend really wants to go. I'd do one of the other character dinings, like Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace. I'd only pick one of these though.

Third, pick the restaurants you really liked last time. We usually have two or three of our choices be repeats and fill the ADRs out with new ones.

So, if I were choosing, here would be my list.

California Grill
'50s Primetime Cafe
Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace
Coral Reef
Raglan Road
Le Cellier or Teppanyaki